Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-05-06

way. These upheld n rough archinp. IN
which was placed the roof, The three
features OF every mosque were present.
First, the pulpit and stairs leading to IL
second, niche in the wall on the side
toward Mecca, toward which the wor.
Shippers always turn their facea and
| third, the frame Of wood 10 feet snuara
raised on pillars about eight feet HIGH
rom Whlch the Koran is read. All else Is
empty floor covered with mating or car.
peting. The faithful enter barefoot hut
others must put some slippers over their
shoes. We always did this ON enterint,
some 20 mosques. To our snrnrise tys
found no wall between the omen crouded
court ana thls university mosque There
was a continuation of the same iabherinS,
voclferous crowd, squatting and coverins,
the entire floor as the others did the
ground. But on the mosque floor vyore
the more advanced students. Here tbe
professors sat, on the floor also, surround
ed by about dozen students each, who
were silent, while he was vociferatino
questions to them, and answering them
IN loud and excited voice, rocking and
swaying his body and rolling his ewes
ana gesticulating at the circle aron
MIN with his right hand, while he
the Koran in his left: They listened
wrapt attention. After a while if Y
their duty to recite to him. There a,
oyer 800 professors, who all teach gratis
Inc president alone has salary of 10 OO0
piastres, or $500 year.
Inc curriculum of study here is simpiv
AraDlc grammar, readiug and writing and
the Koran. This last must be committed
to memory, verbatim, by every student
Religious instruction runs through the
WnOle course, but is the chief subiect of
the first year. The second year is given
to Jurisprudence" which as it is defined
to be a knowledge of the precepts of God in
lelatlon 10 the acts of man" is only the
IA
thlrd year takes up the discussions of the
courts as guided by the Koran. So that
when they are through the university
course it has been first year Koran; sec,
9hd year, more Koran third year, most
Moran. III Is esteemed of highest honor,
lrst, TO commit to memory the Koran
ana any accredited work bearing on the
Moran second, to have unquestionine
ialth therein third, never to criticize or
nave an opinion of ones own. Nothing
Whatever IS taught of natural history
SeonleIry, aieebra or astronomy, although
the ancient Arabs were conspicuously
prohcients in these. The present feeling
toward all true science is that it savors of
the despicable Christians of the Western
world, and is therefore beneath the notice
OF the followers of Islam
Adjoining the mosque, the floor of which
Is more than carpeted with the PROSTATE
or sitting bodies of students during the
DAY, are the chambers for use during the
night. These are on a continuation of the
same floor. A row of tall closets stands
on one side. Ten shelves, about two feet
square, are allotted to each ten stu
denis. In these they keep the weeks
supply of greasy cakes, and change of
garment and blanket No other fur
niture is allowed. They lie sprawling on
the floor to sleep. Thus 1t has been for
centuries.
They teach them that there are seven
heavens, one over the other like seven
successive bell glasses standing over the
earth. The earth is fiat and the sun goes
around it, Whyf Don't they see that it
does And is not all astronomy that
goes against the evidence of their own
eyes, as false as every thing else that is
Christian ? Such is the sort of teaching
to make good sheik, who will continue
to be the plant tool of despotic govern
ment and aid in holding his poorer fellow
villagers of the mud hamlets in which
they all live still longer under the fearful
oppression of the despots of the East.
WHAT privileges do we possess in the
United States and how much have we at
home to thank God for
THEODORE A. HOPKINS.
Rev. A. l.. Morey of West Derby gave
lecture in G. A. K. hall Friday evening
lhe siege OF Petersburg and the final